AJ Edu put up a double-double performance as Gilas Pilipinas completed a come-from-behind win over Saudi Arabia in the FIBA Asia Cup.
AJ Edu is now a witness to Justin Brownlee’s greatness.
This after Brownlee conjured some magic in Gilas Pilipinas’ 95-88 overtime win over Saudi Arabia in the FIBA Asia Cup Tuesday morning, August 12 (PH time).
Down 71-77 with under two minutes left in regulation, Brownlee did his usual heroics and scored six of the team’s last eight points including, the three-pointer to send the game into overtime.
The beloved naturalized Filipino is no stranger to epic end-game feats, which started all the way back in 2016 for Ginebra in the PBA Governors’ Cup Finals.
Some nine years later, the 6-foot-10 Edu sees the magic in person as Brownlee’s Gilas teammate.
[Related: Justin Brownee and the 'NSD' spirit shine through as Gilas makes FIBA Asia Cup quarterfinals]
“JB did what JB does. That was fun to witness, I have never been part of that,” said Edu. “So to see that, that was awesome. I'm just so happy and also thank you to the Lord.”
While Brownlee hit the biggest shot of the game, Edu was instrumental in the Gilas win himself.
He stepped up on both ends of the floor and came up with 17 points and 12 rebounds, to go along with four assists and a block.
Edu’s last basket came with 52 seconds left in extra time, when he popped in a ball-screen and swished an open triple for a 93-84 Gilas lead.
“I really have no words, it was just unbelievable. First of all the atmosphere was amazing, their [Saudi] fans were amazing but of course our fans always give us that energy,” said Edu.
“We talked about just not giving up and it seemed dead and over but we had to keep fighting.”